Arturo Bencosme, President of Asocoacion Venezolana de Vuelo Autonomo (AVVA)

Let it be known that we are specially proud to introduce and recommend CLAUDIO MOTA an Instructor Pilot of Paraglider, Tandem and Paramotor registered in this Association, who enjoys a well earned prestige as a trustable, proactive person, with a strong flyer’s character that manifests through his resolve to progress continuously and to care for his safety and that of his students and fellow flyers, and whose teaching skills have been of significant benefit to the Venezuelan Free Flight.

This letter is in regards to Claudio Mota in his capacity as a paragliding pilot/instructor.Since the fall of 2000, Claudio has been an active member of the longstanding Vancouver Island Hang gliding/Paragliding Club. Since that time he has worked diligently to increase both the awareness of the sport of paragliding as well to provide quality instruction to many aspiring pilots.It is my understanding that Claudio has had over a decade of paragliding experience – with the majority of that time spent in an instructional capacity.On behalf of the club executive and membership, I whole-heartedly write this letter of recommendation for his application to Senior Instructor.

Adeline Price

I cannot begin to convey the remarkable and expanding experience learning how to paraglide has been for me. Consistently I was given the opportunity to over come my personal fears, learn to stretch far beyond what I thought that I was capable of, and get to know some exceptional and wholesome people. All of this amid some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world! What more could I ask for!

The ‘road’ or should I say ‘flight path’ was not always an easy one for me. Of all of the pilots that I have met since taking up this sport I am glad and thankful to have had Claudio Mota as my instructor. Throughout this amazing process there were sometimes tears, other times frustration and most of all a whole lot of laughter! I learned over time that I could always count on Claudio treat me gently and calmly when I was slow to pick things up, to encourage me when I was frustrated, as well as create a fun and enjoyable learning environment.

In December I wrote and passed the exam that was the last step in fulfilling the requirements for my ‘Novice Pilot Certification’, something I feel really proud to have accomplished. In many ways learning to fly has became a metaphor for my life, now whenever I come up against something personal that I do not think I can do then I whisper gently to myself: “All you’ve got to do Addy-girl, is pull up your wing and run.” After running past the edge (or personal block), flying, glorious flying, just comes naturally, given proper training and a whole lot of practice! Claudio, thank you, for helping me find my wings!

Karin L. Cross, C.M.A., Venipuncture LIC, Dist. Ed. Facilitator.

I am still on 'Cloud 9', still 'flying high' and totally in awe of all that you do Claudio and Elli. I was treated so kindly today by everyone, from start to finish and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I really enjoyed meeting the students that flew today, they all were so patient with my questions and their smiles let me know everything would be okay. Confidence was bursting out of all of them and I loved how they watched out for each other.It seemed they all were having way too much fun out there and I wanted some of that fun for my very own. They all inspired me to go for what I want with flying, one of the many gifts I received today from all you Pilot's!

I loved flying with you Claudio. You put my fears at ease and made me feel like I could do anything. What a wonderful form of therapy today was for me! I learned a lot from you regarding flying but most of all I met my challenge of Paragliding and it is due to the fabulous care you and your wife gave me.

A special thank you from my son who came along today and who was left in the care of Elli. The first thing he said to me when I saw him after my flight was that Elli was so very nice and polite and incredibly great to talk with!That warmed my heart! He now wants to have his own tandem flight after seeing his mom fly with Claudio! He said he felt very welcomed by everyone.

Please sign me up for the Novice program as soon as possible. I want to experience that incredible freedom and power in the sky again. And with Claudio and Elli as my Instructors I know I will succeed......beyond my wildest dreams with the challenge of Paragliding.

Like my son said to you today Claudio, we need a 1,000 more of you...you are a special, dear person!

Thank you very much-

Mark Johnston, Commercial Pilot

“I have been a Hang Glider pilot since 1976, and like many others, thought I didn’t need any instruction to fly a paraglider. Local Instructor Claudio Mota saw me “teaching my self to fly”, took me under his wing, and safely got me through my novice rating. He is not only a very talented pilot, but is able to pass his skill and wisdom on to others, in a calm and effective manner. I have enjoyed his instruction and coaching so much, that I went on a Para-adventure tour with him to Venezuela. He continued to provide information and assistance to each in the group, appropriate to their experience level. The trip was one of the high points of my Paragliding career so far. I have now gained enough experience in paragliding to become an “advance rated pilot”, and interested in becoming an instructor. I hope that I can continue to study under Claudio’s wing, and then later pass on some of that knowledge and experience to new pilots.”

Sonja Urzinger, Flight Attendant

“I met Claudio about two years ago when my husband was getting interested in paragliding. Claudio gave him lots of advice and instructed him on technique. As a non-pilot, I am the retrieval driver and photographer; I have spent many hours watching Claudio interact with his students and also his tandem customers. When I finally decided it was time to see for myself what it is like to fly, I knew I would only want to fly tandem with Claudio. He has become my friend and I trusted him to keep me safe as well as make it fun.

Prior to my first tandem, Claudio gave me a very detailed briefing. He explained to me what launch and landing will feel like for me, what is important for me to do and also what he'll be doing at the same time. I was a bit worried about launch, I did not want to trip and fall, but Claudio with his easy- going manner, calmed me right down and I felt I was ready for my first tandem. Launch was over in a matter of seconds and I was flying. It was an incredible feeling to be flying with the birds, high above the trees and have this beautiful view. Claudio confirmed with me that I was doing fine and then asked if I wanted to do some wing over manoeuvres. I felt a bit nervous, but Claudio is a very smooth and skilled pilot and I loved it. Once we were approaching the landing field, Claudio reminded me of my responsibilities and confirmed that I had understood. After a safe landing and once I was out of harness, I knew I wanted to fly tandem with Claudio again.

I have now flown three tandem flights with him and all three were incredible experiences and gave me beautiful memories. I always felt safe, well briefed and had a lot of fun.”

Bruce McGuigan, Senior Policy Analyst

I have known Claudio Mota since November of 2000. When I met Claudio I was not yet signed-off as a pilot and he provided me with valuable assistance in developing as a pilot. Claudio is always “on” as a teacher. He is never pushy or self-promoting but is always prepared to help others improve their skills. When Claudio is present he unobtrusively assists other pilots and quietly provides pilots with advice when it is required.

I cannot emphasize the quality of Claudio’s character enough. I now know Claudio well enough to say with certainty that he provides assistance to others out of a sincere spirit of generosity and a concern for the well being of his fellow pilots. I think everyone in this sport is familiar with the kind of instructor who loudly shouts advice to anyone present on launch with as much of an interest in self-promotion, as in helping another pilot. This is the antithesis of Claudio. I have never heard him criticize another pilot or instructor. I have never seen him engage in the petty debates that are so familiar in paragliding in British Columbia.

Claudio has also worked to help ensure the safety of free-flight on Vancouver Island. He developed the pilot criteria for Dallas Road pilots, and helps supervise and sign-off new pilots for that very politically delicate flying site. Claudio was quickly recognized by the members of the Vancouver Island Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club as an instructor of unusual ability and is viewed as the club’s senior paragliding instructor.

Although I am a pilot of relatively limited experience (3 years, 230 flights, over 140 hours) I have a decade of experience instructing adults in universities, colleges and in government training programs. I can say that Claudio has a natural capacity to provide clear instruction. He breaks down complex tasks into their component parts and builds from a foundation of basic competencies. I have watched Claudio teach on a number of occasions. He does not maximize teaching profits by rushing students through the program. He spends a lot of times on the basics and quietly reinforces fundamental skills. I have seen him spend quite literally days with students at the park and on our small training hill before they take their first high flights.

I have been present when his students take their first high flights. They are appropriately uneventful. Claudio’s gentle and confident manner, vigilance about conditions, and careful preparation of students means that these flights are safe throughout the flight.

I have also noted that Claudio has a strong ethic of teaching professionalism. Teaching days are not flying days for Claudio. When the conditions are good for flying, his students fly and he is obviously working through a careful development program. Every flight is used to reinforce skills and to learn new ones. I have also noted that Claudio makes excellent use of tandem flights in teaching. His students fly approaches with him on tandem before soloing on high flights.

Students make mistakes. Claudio manages these situations extremely well. I have seen him provide guidance to students who have spun their gliders in flight, or made other kinds of minor errors. I have never seen him yell at a student. He calmly guides them in and then quietly takes them aside, reviews their performance and provides them with individual instruction. I appreciated his kind of assistance from Claudio myself on two occasions in my first year of flying. Flying with Claudio as much as I have has made me a far better pilot for the time I have put in than I would have otherwise been. Should I become a paragliding instructor I will make every effort to duplicate his approach.

I sincerely believe that Claudio would make an excellent senior instructor. I think that our sport could only improve if a person of Claudio’s ability and integrity is helping to train new instructors.

Dave Underwood, Corporate Database Analyst

“I enjoyed my beginner lessons with Claudio so much that I am now pursuing my intermediate paragliding qualification with him and even plan to go on a trip with him to fly in Venezuela! Claudio is very good at adapting the level and pace of the course to match the ability of the student. He teaches a student to paraglide by the use of common sense and feel instead of just regurgitating textbook concepts. He is an experienced and excellent pilot so it feels good to learn from one of the best. I would recommend him to anyone.”

Phil Rich

"I had a great time learning to fly with Claudio last summer! The step by step structure of the lessons allowed me to learn at a comfortable pace and I truly enjoyed the training hill in Duncan. Also, the flying sites in and around Victoria and the Gulf Islands have spectacular views and provide that extra incentive to fly. Claudio's flying skill and teaching experience helped give me the confidence to challenge the limits of my abilities and I am very happy with the progress I made in my first year of paragliding. I can certainly recommend this school to anyone who has the desire to strap on a harness and spread their wings.

Wray Turcotte, Retailer

I have known Claudio since Sept 2000.After 6 months of patiently waiting for the right timing to do my first tandem flight, Feb 25 2000. Having a grin from cheek to cheek, I became Claudio's first student on the island. And what a privilege it has been & still is today. He is a very relaxed instructor who let’s me progress at my own comfort level. Safety precautions & requirements are # 1 in Claudio's way of teaching. He has mastered the art of paragliding to the full capacity of his faculty. Suggesting every thought into how he physically wants to manipulate his wing.

Claudio never gets upset on errors that students do in training. He patiently takes you aside from the group and asks you to explain the situation at hand. Then tells you the correct procedure of manoeuvre.

I have enjoyed the beginners training coarse so profoundly that I proceeded to take the advanced manoeuvres coarse from Claudio, to build my confidence even further. Being instructed in a highly attuned manner gives me great enjoyment to pass the knowledge onto new fellow flyers.

Thanks Claudio for giving me the chance to express myself on how you treat all your students in fairness & with patience,